I didnt think Id get on with these ultra-cheap earbuds but they truly surpassed my expectations

Date:
Fri, 12 Sep 2025 21:00:00 +0000

Description:
Looking for some super-cheap wireless earbuds with ANC? The Tozo NC9 could be an option well-worth considering.

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Are you looking to buy some flashy new wireless earbuds, but youre on a budget? Well, Ive got some good news for you. See, in 2025, there are so many fantastic options to consider, with many models offering impressive audio, a comfortable fit, and yes active noise cancellation.

Ive been lucky enough to try some of the best budget earbuds around, but Im always looking for that next exciting thing. So I called in the Tozo NC9 a set of buds that aims to deliver precise audio clarity, crystal-clear
calling, and distraction-free noise cancelling. Doesnt sound too bad, considering theyre regularly available for less than $30 / 40 / AU$45, does it?

So I spent a week using the Tozo NC9 at my desk, when out and about, and at home. And look, I didnt go in with particularly high expectations. Sure, Ive tried out some awesome cheap models here at TechRadar, but you can bet Ive come across some weak ones too the type that subject you to harsh audio and terrible build quality. Luckily, though, these buds truly outdid my expectations. Wanna know how and why? Heres the breakdown. Going above and beyond (Image credit: Future)

Straight off the bat, there are a few things that these ultra-affordable earbuds knock out of the park.

Firstly, theyre IPX8-rated, and although that means theres no dustproof rating, they still have phenomenal waterproofing. An IPX8 rating indicates that the NC9 can survive continuous immersion in water deeper than 1m. Thats very impressive, given that a lot of buds from major brands like Sony rarely stretch that far.

Something else that surprised me is that the charging case has a small
display that indicates the battery life of each bud as well as its own
charge. Thats pretty handy if you want quick, easy access to accurate
playtime monitoring. Speaking of playtime, you get a solid 10 hours with ANC on, 14 hours with it off, and a maximum of 59 hours of playtime with the charging case.

But wait theres more! I mean, it's already great to see ANC on buds this
cheap but the NC9s noise cancelling capabilities are also customizable .
Yes, just hop into the Tozo app and you can cycle between a ton of modes, including: Noise Cancellation, Transparency, Reduce Wind Noise, Leisure
(light ANC), Normal (no ANC), and Custom. Again, that level of tailoring is something that a lot of expensive flagship models wont serve up.

Is the ANC on the NC9 anything special? Well, it's not going to blow you away
but its certainly decent, especially for the price. When working in the office, the clicking of my keyboard wasnt audible at all at 50% volume, and the sound of my colleagues chatting was dampened significantly. Yes, a few sounds, especially louder ones, did creep in youre not going to get Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) of course. But still I was pleased with the level of noise-nixing available. Sonically solid, but with a low-price that doesnt come without sacrifice (Image credit: Future)

So, its safe to say that the NC9 have a stand-out feature-set in the realm of cheap wireless earbuds. But the one area I expected the NC9 to fall flat in was sound quality. Funnily enough, though, these are surprisingly capable in that department too!

When listening to AAAAA by Kiefer, the smothering low-end came through with impressive weight even compared to the JLab Go Pop ANC in their bass boost
EQ mode. And with a track like Black Eye by Allie X, vocals remained clear, even with the bounding bass pumping through the backdrop, while crashing percussion didnt sound harsh.

Of course, you wont get amazingly neutral quality the emphasis on bass helps to deliver impact, but it can sound overstated. In addition, there arent any hi-res Bluetooth codecs like LDAC and tracks generally lose their softer, broader, more discreet details. But for a bass-heavy, entertaining, energetic and fairly clear listening experience, the NC9 have you covered.

That said, despite performing decently given their price, you are still going to make some sacrifices by buying wireless buds in this price range. Tozo
says that the NC9 offer crystal-clear calling, remember? Well, they dont.
When calling my colleague, she reported that I sounded fairly distant, and there was a slightly muffled quality to my speech. When listening to a voice recording, that distant quality was massively apparent especially when I did a comparison with the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 .

Finally, the NC9 arent the most beautiful or small looking model in-ear.
Their slightly chunky build wasnt as appealing as the JLab JBuds Mini , for example. But even so, I did find them pretty comfortable and after several consecutive hours of listening, I didnt feel the need to take them out for a break. Pair that with the inclusion of multiple-sized eartips, and theres a lot to like about the NC9.

So, yes, all in all the Tozo NC9 punch well above their weight. Do they make good on all of their promises? Well, technically no, but their sonic capabilities, IPX8 waterproofing, and adjustable ANC make them a worthy
budget buy. Sure, they wont replace my LG Tone Free T90S , which remain some of the best wireless earbuds in my book, but if you want some competent buds for less than $30, these would be one of my top recommendations. You may also like If youve got smaller-sized ears, finding the right earbuds can feel frustrating. But fear not, for we have a guide to the best earbuds for small ears check it out! Or maybe you want to totally silence the outside world? Then head on over to our list of the best noise cancelling earbuds



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/tozo-nc9-wireless-earbuds-impr essions


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